Improvement in indexes



.UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE,

BENJAMIN r. w. URBAN, or LANoAsrER, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN INDEXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 172,061, dated January 11, 1876; application filed September 16, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. W. UR- BAN, of the city and county of Lancaster, in

a the State of Pennsylvania, have'invented certain Improvements in a System or Combined Double Index and Key Arrangement, of which the following is a specification:

This improvement consists of a peculiar key of a single sheet, ruled off in squares. Each square contains two letters of the alphabet, each pair of separate color, uniform throughout, arranged in regular series, horizontally and vertically, in such a manner that each letter of the alphabet will be combined with itself and every other letter. in the alphabet. Each combination or square has the number also referring to and in combination with an initial and marginal index to each page containing the group of all such persons whose initials of the surname and Christian name correspond to those of the key. The marginal index to such page has as many vertical columns as there are second letters that will combine with the first initial of the surname, as herein more fully set forth.

The key to the index proper will be complete in a single sheet on the first page of the book, no sight letters being used. The sheet forming the key is laid off into twenty-six horizon tal squares or divisions, and in like number of vertical squares or divisions. Each of these squares contains two letters, printed in bold or clear type, the front or left-hand letter with black in k, for the initial of the surname or generic name, and the other letter associated with it in red ink, to designate the'initial of the Christian or specific name, allowing a blank space under each combination to insert the number of the page of the group of names This latter constitutes o my initial and marginal index combined, and,

having such initials.

which contains the letters A A, one printed black and the other red, a series of the alphabet is printed, in red letters, across or horizontally in each column, fromtop to bottom,

and a like series of the alphabet is printed, in black letters, vertically in each column.

By this simple arrangement of the duplicated alphabet, printed 'in two colors, it follows that each letter of the alphabet is brought into combination with itself and with every other letter in the alphabet, thus providing for every possible combination of initials in surnames and Christian names, or generic and specific names, of things grouped together, with a number or page designated by such combined initials to correspond with that of the initial index. This initial index, so readily found by a glance at the key and page, is also provided with a marginal index, composed of as many columns, ruled alternately with blue and red ink, to facilitate the search, as there are second letters that can possiblybe combined with the initial of the surname. A blank column may be left for a very rare combination.

tiguing search, however extensive the list of names may be.

In a serial index, or where separate books are used for each letter, the key is on the same principle, and is placed horizontally upon the first page of the book.

To explain the application, I may say,

briefly, suppose the name'of John Brown is to be found. I find where the black letter B is 'cbmbined with the red letter J.

This is found at asingle glance, and under this combination I find the number 18, which designates the pageon which the names of,

all appear having this combination J.B. In the marginal index on said page I look down the R column for the second letter r in the name of Brown, and on a line.

with said letter 1' will be found me name sought, or its corresponding sub-group.

I am aware that various systems of index- The letters (in capitals) are inserted, from right toing have been devised and patented; but I duplicated letters of difierent color and page am not aware that a key, arranged with dnplinumbers, with the initial and marginal index, cate letters and page numbers, in combination substantially as and for the purpose specified. with an initial and marginal index, as herein set forth, was ever known or used prior to my BENJ. F. W. URBAN. invention; therefore, Witnesses:

What I claim as my invention is- W. B. 'WILEY,

The combination of the key, arranged with J AOOB STAUFFER. 

